Flowers Vineyard & Winery

Owner(s)	Huneeus Vintners
Web site	www.flowerswinery.com

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Walt and Joan Flowers were nursery owners (Moon Nursery) in Pennsylvania who made frequent trips to Oregon and California to obtain nursery stock and pursue their rising interest in wine, especially Pinot Noir. In 1989, they purchased 327 acres high above the Pacific Ocean on the northern Sonoma Coast in Cazadero. At the time, only Hirsch and Bohan were in the desolate region. They eventually planted 33 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on the property's ridge top at elevations of 1150' to 1400' beginning in 1991, matching rootstocks to soil types. The site turned out to be warm enough to ripen grapes yet was heavily influenced by the close proximity of the Pacific Ocean (2 miles away) which provided cool morning fog below the ridge top and afternoon cooling breezes. The ridge was named Camp Meeting Ridge after the Pomo Indians who camped in the area in the summer and later settlers camped there for religious retreats.

In 1997, a gravity-flow winery was built on the property specifically for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In 1998, an additional 327 acres was bought and named Flowers Ranch. This property, like Camp Meeting Ridge, was less than two miles from the Pacific Ocean, but it had two ridges with elevations of 1400' to 1875'. 47 acres of Pinot Noir were planted from 1998-2001. Two vineyards were designated within Flowers Ranch, the 25-acre Frances Thompson Vineyard and the 22-acre Sea View Ridge Vineyard. The winery was expanded in 2003. Today, 648 total acres are owned, of which 77 acres are under vine.

Flowers Vineyard & Winery is now one of three bonded wineries in the northern Sonoma Coast. Neighboring vineyards include Hirsch, Marcassin, Bohan, Charles, Hellenthal, Nobles, Blue Slide Ridge (Martinelli), Failla and Pahlmeyer, all of which are in the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA.

The Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is the workhorse of the winery and is consistently a fine representation of the true Sonoma Coast viticulture area. A number of other estate cuvee and vineyard-designate bottlings are now produced, with Andreen-Gale, Moon Select, Camp Meeting Ridge, Frances Thompson, and Sea View Ridge being the most recognizable.

There have been a number of talented winemakers at Flowers who have gone on to distinguish themselves at other wineries or through their own labels. These include, Steve Kistler, Greg La Follette (Jim Ball Vineyards, Tandem, Londer, De Loach), Hugh Chapelle (Lynmar), and Ross Cobb (Cobb Wines). Darrin Low arrived in 2008 and was replaced by Jason Jardine, formerly of Rhys Vineyards, in 2010. The viticulturist is Larry Bradley (since the early 1990s). Production is about 3,000 cases per year of estate grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

In January, 2009, it was announced that Huneeus Vintners, the wine company owned by the Huneeus family and owners of Quintessa Vineyards in the Napa Valley, had bought a substantial interest in Flowers. Tom Hinde, Flower's president since 2006, was retained to maintain consistency. Joan and Walt Flowers retired from their project.

Flowers wines are sold almost exclusively through a mailing list with decent retail distribution of the Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and limited distribution of other bottlings. Tours and tasting are by appointment for those adventurous enough to make the trek to the winery outpost in Cazadero (avoid winter months as the area has heavy rain and roads are dangerous). Driving up Highway 1 from Bodega Bay there are stunning seashore vistas scant yards to the left, and sometimes the driver is forced to slow to 5 miles an hour behind farm trucks. Once you turn off on Meyers Grade Road, the fun really starts. You climb up and up to 1,500 feet above sea level, twisting and turning beside steep, plunging forested ravines, before entering the gate to Camp Meeting Ridge. 707-847-3661.

Articles About Flowers Vineyard & Winery

2012 California Pinot Noir All-Americans Honorable Mention (9.17 12/26/2012)
2012 Chardonnay All-Americans (9.17 12/26/2012)
Along the Pinot Trail in California: Part 2 - North Coast & Other (9.8 6/24/2012)
California Chardonnay (9.8 6/24/2012)
More Sips of Pinot (9.16 12/10/2012)
On the Pinot Trail: WOPN 2010 (8.13 4/8/2010)
Pinot Briefs (7.10 1/14/2009)
Small Sips of California Pinot Noir: Just Drink It (7.3 10/1/2008)
West Sonoma Coast Vintners (8.32 3/1/2011)

Reviewed Wines

2010 Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

13.7% alc., $40. · Light straw color in the glass. Very nice aromatic expression showing scents of white peach, lemon curd, and bear claw pastry. Fresh tasting flavors of green apple and brioche with a lemon peel driven and lively finish. Seamless and a solid food wine. Good (+). Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »

2010 Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $45. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of boysenberries, fruit punch, spice and violets. Darker berry flavors are featured on a middleweight frame, with accents of Asian 5-spice and cola. Juicy and crisp, with impressive fruit purity. Highly approachable with supple tannins. Even better the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, with more striking cherry character. Very good. Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »

2010 Flowers Sea Ridge Estate Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $65. Heritage, 777, 825 and 115 clones planted in schist, shale, basalt and sandstone soil. 1400 to 1800 feet elevation. Yields 1.91 tons per acre. 5% whole cluster. Aged 16 months in 40% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddishpurple color in the glass. Shy aromas of raspberries and cranberries with a hint of briar. Dark red fruits are featured in a modest weight wine with balanced tannins, a sleek, smooth texture, and some generous fruit length on the finish. Very nicely crafted and rather sophisticated. Very good. Reviewed December 8, 2012 ARTICLE »

2010 Flowers Camp Meeting Ridge Estate Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $70. Calera, Swan, Dijon, Wädenswil and Pommard clones. Schist, shale and sandstone soils. 1200 to 1400 feet elevation. Yields 1.89 tons per acre. 100% de-stemmed. Aged 16 months in 57% new French oak barrels. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Clean aromas of black cherries, black raspberries, dark strawberries, clove spice and smoky oak. The flavors replicate the aromas in a middleweight offering that has balanced tannins, and an appealingly soft and smooth mouth feel. Picks up interest over time in the glass. Good (+). Reviewed December 8, 2012 ARTICLE »

2010 Flowers Camp Meeting Ridge Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

13.5% alc., $70. An estate vineyard situated at 1200 to 1400 feet elevation, planted to Hyde, Old Wente and Dijon 95 clones. Yields of 1.25 tons per acre. Barrel fermented in 64% new French oak barrels for 14 months. · Moderate straw color in the glass. Alluring aromas of baked pear, roasted nuts, crème brûlée and milk chocolate. Plenty of flavor intensity including juicy lemon and apple with hints of buttered brioche and sweet oak. An exceptional wine with very slight dry tannins, lively acidity, and an appealing lemon drop finish. Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »

2010 Camp Meeting Ridge Estate Vineyard Block 11 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $75. 1.16- acre block at 1400 feet elevation. Schist and shale soil. Calera selection. Yields 2.21 tons per acre. Aged 17 months in 40% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Muted aromas of darker red berries. A solid offering with well-ripened dark red raspberry and cherry flavors, elevated by good acidity and framed by ripe tannins. Nothing really stands out, but drinks nicely. Should benefit from more time in the cellar. Good. Reviewed December 8, 2012 ARTICLE »

2010 Flowers Sea View Ridge Estate Vineyard Block 20 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $75. 1.55-acre block at 1700 feet elevation. Shallow volcanic clay loam over basalt, schist and shale soil. Clone 777. Yields 2.38 tons per acre. Aged 17 months in 40% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple hue in the glass. Penetrating, enthralling aromas of perfectly ripe black cherries and black raspberries. Luscious flavors of black cherry cola, griottes kirsch, and dark berries, modest dry tannins, bright acidity and a velvety mouth feel. I like this for its balance, texture and fruit persistence on the finish. A regal wine. Reviewed December 8, 2012 ARTICLE »

2010 Flowers Sea View Ridge Estate Vineyard Block 21 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., $75. 1.15- acre block at 1400 feet elevation. Shallow clay loam over sandstone soil. Clone 777 and Swan selection. Yields 2.15 tons per acre. Aged 17 months in 16% new French oak barrels. · Light reddish color in the glass. Intense aromas of cherries. The lightest and most red-fruited of the Flowers Pinot Noirs in this vintage. Wellnuanced flavors of cherry hard candy, Asian 5-spice and pine tar. Beautifully crafted with gentle tannins and vivid underlying acidity. Has a unique chalky undertone. Very good. Reviewed December 8, 2012 ARTICLE »

2007 Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.4% alc.. · Lightly colored with red tones. Scents of strawberries, cherries, baking spices and a hint of oak char. On the lean side with redder fruits set off by an appealing minerality and grassiness. The tannins are reigned in and the hi-strung finish features tart cherry and cranberry flavors. Considering the vintage and the reputation of this superb winery, this wine is a bit disappointing. Nevertheless it is Good. Reviewed April 8, 2010 ARTICLE »

2005 Flowers Andreen Gayle Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., $50. · A rich core of black raspberry, black current and black cherry fruit with an appealing earthy and gamy aspect. Restrained, sleek and seductive with defining acidity that makes this wine a perfect dining companion. Match this with cassoulet and you will be on your knees. Reviewed October 1, 2008 ARTICLE »